On the 27th, Seibu Lions announced that Saitama Seibu Lions, Ltd. and Rikkyo University's Faculty of Sports and Wellness have signed a "Basic Agreement on Cooperation" as part of Saitama Seibu Lions' community activities "L-FRIENDS" on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
This agreement aims to contribute to the development of the local community and the improvement of citizen welfare by collaborating on projects while effectively utilizing the human and intellectual resources of both Saitama Seibu Lions and Rikkyo University's Faculty of Sport and Wellness. Specifically, it will focus on areas such as "regional development," "sports promotion," and "educational promotion," aiming to contribute to the community and society by linking Saitama Seibu Lions' community-based activities with the academic expertise of Rikkyo University's Faculty of Sport and Wellness, which embodies the educational philosophy of "for the joy of living for all people."
Furthermore, while Saitama Seibu Lions and Rikkyo University had already concluded a "Basic Agreement on Cooperation," they have now signed a new agreement with the Faculty of Sports and Wellness, which was newly established as a faculty in 2023, with the aim of jointly promoting a variety of sports-based initiatives.
▼Specific planned collaborations between Saitama Seibu Lions and Rikkyo University's Faculty of Sports and Wellness
- Collaboration with undergraduate students to jointly develop a student discount ticket sales and marketing strategy within the university.
- Sportsmanship education programs at the baseball club, academy, The Lions Junior, and other partner organizations.
- Planning and managing events related to the baseball team.
Sports experience events held on the Rikkyo University campus
- Measuring the SROI (Social Return on Investment) of the activities undertaken by the baseball team.
▼ Comment from Tsuyoshi Okumura, President and CEO of Saitama Seibu Lions Co., Ltd.
"We are deeply honored to have signed this partnership agreement with Rikkyo University's Faculty of Sports and Wellness. As part of our long-standing community activities, "L-FRIENDS," we are confident that by combining the university's expertise with our company's community activities, we can contribute to regional development. In particular, we hope to actively incorporate the fresh perspectives unique to students into our marketing strategies and event planning, and together create new value for the local community. We expect this partnership to contribute significantly to the development of future leaders and the revitalization of the local community."
▼ Comment from Haruyasu Kato, Dean of the Faculty of Sports and Wellness, Rikkyo University
"We are delighted to be able to establish a partnership with Saitama Seibu Lions, a team deeply rooted in the community and dedicated to delivering the excitement of sports. Our faculty is committed to the philosophy of "For the joy of life for all," and we pursue sports wellness from a multifaceted perspective. This agreement will provide students with a valuable opportunity to learn practical skills, such as marketing and event management in the field of professional sports, and to experience the world of top-level sports, fostering their intellectual development. By combining the expertise and resources of both parties, we will strive to create new value for the local community through the power of sports, and to cultivate the next generation of leaders."
